Kayla Tarnowski & Ismail Shakil

WINDSOR, Ontario, (Reuters) – Canada was expecting more protests on Saturday against government pandemic actions. However, the main focus of the U.S.-Canada bridge remained blocked by activists who defied a court order, emergency measures, and disrupted the North American automobile industry.

The “Freedom Convoy” protests, started in the national capital Ottawa by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, entered its 16th day on Saturday.

Three border points have been affected by protests, including the Ambassador Bridge. This is North America’s most busy land border crossing. Since Monday, hundreds of cars have congested the bridge, which has impeded the flow of goods to Detroit’s automakers.

Ford, which is the 2nd-largest U.S. automobile manufacturer, stated Friday that work had been temporarily suspended at Ohio’s Assembly Plant. General Motors (NYSE 🙂 Toyota Motor (NYSE.) Co announced production reductions. In order to reduce production losses, some companies diverted cargo.

Although a judge had ordered that the Ambassador Bridge blockade be lifted on Friday, around 100 protestors occupied the bridge on Saturday using trucks and pick up vans to stop traffic.

On Friday, the Ontario government declared an emergency situation in the province and threatened to fine protesters and send them to jail if they didn’t leave.

The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure from the opposition to take action. However, Joe Biden’s administration insisted that his government use federal powers. Trudeau promised Biden that he would take swift action to resolve the crisis.

After a Friday call with Biden, Trudeau said that all options were open to ending blockades and added that they were getting “more severe.”

Trudeau said to reporters that the government had received complaints about COVID. He also addressed the concerns of protesters. It is now time to get home.

People were to rally east of Ottawa in Fredericton, New Brunswick (NYSE :), for a weekend protest. According to local police, officers had been stationed at the entrances of the city in order to allow traffic to continue. Canada’s financial capital Toronto is also prepared for weekend protests.

Peter Sloly of Ottawa Police stated officers were available for enforcement of new laws. In anticipation of protesters joining, he warned them of possible consequences.

Steve Bell, the deputy chief police officer of Ottawa told officials at a meeting that “the Ottawa police services are better equipped and more resourced to cope with this anticipated surge.”